Apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes



Jan. 9, 1962 R. D. HUTTON 3,016,059

APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CURLING AND-TREATING EYEILASHES Filed Aug. 18, 1958 FIG; 5

INVENTOR. Elli/z D zzm BY q dilarneys Patented Jan. 9, 1962 3,016,059 APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY CURLING AND TREATING EYELASHES Ruth 1). Hutton, 420 Marion Ave., Aurora, Ill. Filed Aug. 18, 1953, Ser. No. 755,662 6 Claims. (Cl. 132-32) This invention relates to apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes. It is an object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of that character.

Eyelash curlers generally employ a pair of curved jaws which are movable toward and away from each other. One jaw is normally mounted at its opposite ends on a pair of rods while the other jaw is slidable on the same rods. A scissorlike pair of levers are generally employed to operate the jaws. Such eyelash curlers normally employ one hard jaw (usually metallic) and one jaw carrying a relatively soft element or pad, such as a firm plastic pad, which is arranged to be engaged by the other jaw. With the eyelashes arranged between the jaws, the levers are operated to bring the jaws together. The hard upper jaw squeezes the eyelashes against the relatively soft lower jaw and crimps the eyelashe so that they bend upward. The jaws are curved such that like portions of the eyelashes are curled at any one time.

If mascara or Vaseline or other material is employed for treating the eyelashes, this is generally done after the curling of the eyelashes. It has previously been proposed that additional apparatus be arranged on eyelash curlers whereby mascara, Vaseline or other material is brushed onto the outer end portions of the lashes.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention one of the jaws of the eyelash curler includes a pad which is capable of absorbing material for treating the lashes. When the eyelashes are pressed between the jaws, the material which has been absorbed by the pad automatically treats the lashes. This treatment may consist of the application of mascara, dye, Vaseline, dye remover or any other material which it is desired to apply to the eyelashes. in accordance with this embodiment of the invention the material whic his used to treat the eyelashes is applied to the eyelashes substantially to the very base of the eyelashes and on out to the end, rather than only to the outer end portions. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention each jaw includes a pad capable of absorbing material with which the eyelashes are to be treated whereby the material is applied all around each eyelash. Still further the pad on each jaw of the curler is of substantial dimension in a direction along the length of the eyelashes such that it may engage all or substantially all of the length of the eyelashes. and the pad on the upper jaw is made convex such that the entire length of the eyelashes is curled and treated with a single bringing together of the jaws.

7 Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes, which apparatus is capable of treating the eyelashes substantially to the base thereof.

It is still another object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes, which apparatus is capable of treating the eyelashes completely around the circumference of each lash.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes which apparatus is capable of curling and treat- Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes which is effective, reliable and economical to manufacture.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial elevation of the same apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a View similar to FIG. 3 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing still another embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus of FIG. 1 includes operating levers which may be identical to prior art devices, and accordingly are shown in phantomlines in FIG. 1 and are not described in detail herein. It is believed to be sufficient for the purpose of describing the present invention to point out that the user operates these levers like a pair of scissors to move the subsequently described jaws toward and away from each other.

That portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 which embodies the present invention is better seen in FIG. 2. An upper jaw 10 is supported by a pair of rods 11 which are integral with the operating mechanism. A lower jaw 12 includes rings or loops 13 which freely receive the rods 11 and confine the lower jaw 12 to movement along the length of rods 11. Movement of the lower jaw 12 is effected by the pair of rods 14 which are secured thereto and form a part of the operating mechanism. As will be understood from the operation of well known prior art devices, the rods 14 drive the lower jaw 12 along the rods 11 into engagement with the upper jaw 10, and may pull the lower jaw 12 downwardly along the rods 11 away from the upper jaw 10.

In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, shown in FIGURE 3, the lower jaw includes a channel shaped or trough-like member 15 which receives a pad 16 capable of absorbing the material with which the eye- The pad on the lower jaw is made concave,

lashes are to be treated. The upper surface of the pad 16 will be seen to be concave and of substantial dimension along the length of the eyelash whereby the entire eyelash may be curled and treated in a single operation and whereby the eyelash is curled upwardly along its length. It will be seen further that the curvature of the concave upper surface of the pad 16 is sharp near the base of the eyelash and is elsewhere. quite gradual, whereby the sharpest curvature of the eyelash is obtained near the base. This permits a greater upward extension of the eyelash, with the result that the eyelash appears longer, than would be the case if the eyelash were curled uniformly throughout its length, or if it were allowed to retain its natural curl adjacent the tip.

The upper jaw 10 also includes a channel-shaped or trough-like member 18 having its outer leg much shorter ing the entire, or substantially the entire length of the eyelashes in a single operation.

It is a still furth object of the invention to provide improved apparatus for simultaneously curling and coloring eyelashes which apparatus permits safer, more effective, and generally improved curling and coloring.

than its inner leg. Also included as a part of the upper jaw is pad 19 which is also capable of absorbing a material with which the eyelashes are to be treated. It will be seen that the lower surface of the pad 19 is curved convexly to match the curvature of the lower pad 16.

It will now be seen that when the device is operated to move the jaws 10 and 12 toward each other the eyelashes will be pressed between the facing surfaces of the 7 two pads 16 and 19 and will be caused to curl upwardly with an optimum curvature in a single operation of the device. During the same operation the material absorbed by the pads 16 and 19 will be applied to the entire surface of the eyelashes. It will be noted further that the material will be applied to the eyelashes substantially to the base thereof.

' The illustrated form of the member 18 of the upper jaw is particularly recommended as it firmly supports the pad 19 such that substantial pressure may be brought to bear on the eyelashes. It'will be seen that the inner leg of the upper jaw memberlS is somewhat out of alignment with the inner leg of the lower jaw member to the extent that the lower edge of the member 18 may enter the channel-shaped lower jaw member 15. Pressure of the lower edge of the member 18 against the eyelashes further facilitates a sharp upward'curvature of the eyelashes close to the base. It should be noted further that the lower edge of the member 18 extends slightly below the lowermost portion of the pad 19. This helps to prevent any undesired application of the mascara, dye or other material to the skin of the eyelid.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated particularly in FIGURE 3 it will be seen that optimum curvature of the eyelashes may be obtained in a single operation of the eyelash curler, whereas prior art devices are adopted primarily to provide a single bending of the eyelash near the base, the remaining length of lash retaining its natural lines.

At the same time any material with which it is desired to treat the eyelashes is applied substantially from the base to the tips and completely around each eyelash in the same operation. Another advantage of this apparatus is that the moisture present in the material absorbed by the elements 16 and 19 assists materially in the curling of the eyelashes and greatly reduces the danger of eyelash breakage, this being a significant problem where prior art devices are employed. Still further, the lashes are soaked in the dye or other material used to treat the lashes. This provides more thorough application of the material than is effected by a simple brushing of the lashes.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that there are many suitable materials of which the pads 16 and 19 may be formed. Cellular or porous rubber or plastic may, for example, be used to form these pads. Felt may also be employed, and a material known in the trade as Perma-Stamp is also suitable, this material being disclosed in Patent No. 2,777,824, issued January 15, 1957. These materials are resilient and capable of absorbing various materials with which the user may wish to treat the eyelashes. Such pads may, for example, be impregnated by the manufacturer with mascara or a suitable dye material or other coloring agent which is capable of being transferred to the eyelashes by simple application of pressure. facturer impregnate the pads with a coloring material which requires that the user moisten the element before using. Alternatively, a suitable coloring agent may be provided for application to the pads by the user.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention the upper jaw 10 is permitted to pivot out'of the path of movement of the lower jaw 12; In FIGURE 2 it will be seen that the right-hand end of the upper jaw 10 is pivotally mounted on the right-hand rod 11, and its left-hand end snaps over the left-hand rod 11. The upper extremities of the two rods 11 may be upset to restrain the upper jaw 10 from upward movement, and a ring or' bead 20 may be secured to or formed on the V right-hand rod 11 to prevent the upper jaw 10 from moving downwardly. V

Outward pivotal movement of the upper jaw 10 will be seen tov facilitate removal and insertion of the pads 16 and 19. The pad 19, by being slotted to receive the short.

forward leg of the member 18 and otherwise being shaped to fit the member 18, can readily be inserted and removed and may be held snugly in place after insertion. The lower pad 16 is shaped to fit the member 15 whereby it It may be preferable that the manuis also readily insertable and removable. If preferred, the forward edge of the member 15 may have a short lip to confine the pad 16. However, it is preferred that the outer end of the pad 16 be substantially free in order that this pad may more readily adapt itself to the curvature of the pad 19.

The ready removability and insertability of the pads 16 and 19, further facilitated by the pivotal mounting of the upper. jaw 10, adapts the overall apparatus to various applications. With a single basic unit and with a number of pads 16 and 19 available, the user may readily employ different colors of dye and may readily replace worn, damaged or depleted elements. The user may also insert elements 1 6 and 19 which are impregnated with material capable of removing dye which has previously been applied to the eyelashes.

Another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGURE 4. The upper and lower jaws 18a and 15a are of somewhat simpler construction than in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3. The associated pads 19a and 16:: are also of simplified construction. With this simplified form of the invention two or three operations of the apparatus may be required to curl and dye one set of eyelashes. This form of the invention has the advantage, however, of greater simplicity of construction.

Still another embodiment of the invention is shown in "FIG. 5. In this instance, the upper and lower jaws 18b and 1512 may be similar to jaws as they are employed in some prior art devices. A single pad 16b is associated with the lower jaw 15b, no pad being associated with the upper jaw 18b. The pad 16b may furthermore be similar in its external shape to pads presently employed in prior art devices. However, the pad 16b is of the materials recommended above, in connection with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, and is impregnated either by thev manufacturer or by the user with mascara, dye or any other material with which the user wishes to treat the eyelashes.

With thisembodiment of the invention the user must operate the apparatus anumber of times in order to curl and dye one set of eyelashes. The curling action is dependent upon the hard upper jaw 18b pressing into the pad 16b and thereby crimping the eyelashes. This embodiment of the invention, however, curls and treats the eyelashes simultaneously, it applies the dye or. other desired material substantially to the base of the eyelashes, it soaks the eyelashes for more thorough coloring andmore eifective curling, and otherwise has many of the advantages of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

It will be apparent that the invention may be varied in its physical embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is desired, therefore, that the invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes comprising an upper jaw and a lower jaw movable toward and away from each other, said jaws being similarly ourved to receive at one time like portions of the lashes of one eye, each of said jaws being substantially channel shaped in cross section and opening generally toward the other of said jaws, an absorbent pad removably inserted in each of said jaws capable of absorbing material for treating the lashes and having en- .gageable faces of such width as to engage a substantial length of eyelash at one time, said engageable faces of said upper and lower pads being curved convexly and concavely respectively, whereby eyelashes pressed therebetween may be simultaneously curled and treated over a substantial length thereof in a single operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner leg of the upper channel shaped jaw is arranged to enter the 5 channel shaped lower jaw when said jaws move toward each other.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inner leg of the upper channel shaped jaw extends downwardly beyond the pad associated therewith.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pad associated with said upper jaw covers the outer leg thereof.

5. Apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes comprising a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, said jaws being similarly curved to receive at one time like portions of the lashes of one eye, each of said jaws including an absorbent pad capable of absorbing material for treating the lashes, said pads being arranged on said jaws to be engageable substantially throughout their lengths as said jaws move toward each other, one of said jaws being slidable on a pair of spaced rods and the other of said jaws being pivotally secured at one end to one of said rods and releasably secured at the other end to the other of said rods, whereby said other jaw may be pivoted away from said one jaw.

6. Apparatus for simultaneously curling and treating eyelashes comprising a pair of jaws movable toward and away from each other, said jaws being similarly curved to receive at one time like portions of the lashes of one eye, each of said jaws including an absorbent pad capable of absorbing material for treating the lashes, said pads being arranged on said jaws to be engageable substantially throughout their lengths as said jaws move toward each other, the engaging faces of said pads being of such width as to engage a substantial length of eyelash at one time and being concave and convex respectively whereby eyelashes pressed therebetween may be simultaneously curled and treated over a substantial length thereof in a single operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

